Gulf of Mexico oil spill

Photo by U.S. Coast Guard via Getty Images

An estimated leak of 1,000 barrels of oil a day are to date leaking into the gulf of Mexico after an explosion and fire destroyed a BP oil rig on April 21, 2010. The oil slick threatens the delicate ecosystem of coastal Louisiana. Experts say the spill could be as large, and as potentially devastating, as the Exxon-Valdez disaster.

An estimated leak of 1,000 barrels of oil a day are to date leaking into the gulf of Mexico after an explosion and fire destroyed a BP oil rig on April 21, 2010. The oil slick threatens the delicate ecosystem of coastal Louisiana. Experts say the spill could be as large, and as potentially devastating, as the Exxon-Valdez disaster. (Photo by U.S. Coast Guard via Getty Images)

An estimated leak of 1,000 barrels of oil a day are to date leaking into the gulf of Mexico after an explosion and fire destroyed a BP oil rig on April 21, 2010. The oil slick threatens the delicate ecosystem of coastal Louisiana. Experts say the spill could be as large, and as potentially devastating, as the Exxon-Valdez disaster.